Domingo Perez urges UK trade unionists to keep fighting

Domingo Francisco Pérez is the General Secretary of the National Union of Employees (UNE), the biggest Union in Nicaragua covering all public services in local government.

He visited the UK from the 14th until the 25th of June to strengthen the links between Nicaraguan and British Trade Unions. He is interviewed here outside the UNISON building in Euston Road, right after signing a collaboration agreement between UNISON and UNE for the set up of a law service for union members in UNE.

Domingo left a message of optimism and solidarity with the current struggles of the working class against the cuts.

He said: “The only way to defend worker’s rights and to build a society based in equality and social justice is in the streets, fighting. This is the example that trade unionism in Europe has given us for over a hundred years. We urge you to continue fighting”

The video is not yet subtitled, but below you can see the transcript of the Interview:

Interview transcript:

Interviewer (Johanna García of HispanTV): Domingo Perez, General Secretary of the Nicaraguan National Union of Employees, the main trade union for public employees in that country, was on a visit to the UK, holding meetings with leaders of several British affiliates who are facing at present a period of cuts and mass redundancies.

Domingo Perez: We have a very close relationship with the trade unions in the UK, but of course methods of struggle in each country are different. A strike here in the UK is not the same as a strike in Nicaragua. Above all, however, we agree with their ways to develop their struggle.

I: Since last year the government of David Cameron has been faced by mass protests from students opposing the sharp rise in tuition fees and workers affected by the cuts and redundancies in the public sector. Now a strike is expected on the 30th of June by teachers opposing a change in the system of pensions which involves making higher contributions over a longer period and receiving lower pensions at the end. According to Perez this type of anti-worker measure is one of the evils of capitalism.

DP: We are quite clear that we have to look at the model. This type of capitalist, neoliberal model does not answer the needs of society. It answers the needs of the rich magnates.

I: Some British trade unions plan a general stoppage next autumn if their demands are not heard. This would be the biggest union action since the General Strike of 1926. Domingo Perez, who represents workers affected for decades by the same type of cuts, supports this type of initiative.

DP: The only way to uphold the rights of workers and to support the building of a new society based in equality and social justice is in the streets, fighting for it. This is the example that our comrades trade unionists in Europe has given us for over a hundred years. We have received this example and now urge you to continue fighting

I: Domingo Perez, General Secretary of the Nicaraguan National Union of Employees (UNE) supports the struggle and left a message of optimism to the British working class, which is experiencing a time of cutbacks and massive redundancies.

That is why British trade unions have called a national demonstration for the 30th of June.